Troopers Find $450K In Heroin, Make 3 Arrests

(Dearborn County, Ind.) – Three Ohio residents are in jail for carrying drugs on Interstate 74 through Indiana by hiding them inside a car door.

Last Friday morning, June 22, Indiana State Police Trooper Jimmy Wells stopped a 2012 Chevrolet Caprice on the interstate near the 161 mile marker for a traffic violation.

During his conversation with the driver, Destanee E. Gaines, the trooper became suspicious of possible criminal activity. As the investigation continued Wells developed probable cause to search Gaines and her vehicle.

During the search, the Wells noticed some unusual discrepancies in the driver’s side door panel of the vehicle. The door panel was removed and three kilograms of heroin were found hidden inside.

The heroin had an estimated value of $450,000. One kilogram equals approximately 2.2 pounds for a total of 6.6 pounds recovered.

Police then used their cunning to get to the person who the heroin was being delivered to. Wells learned Gaines was supposed to deliver the heroin to Aldon Webb, Jr. of Cincinnati. When Webb was informed the vehicle had been towed to a local towing company and was unaware the heroin had been discovered.

The trooper and Lawrenceburg Police maintained surveillance of the vehicle at the local tow yard and at approximately 10:30 p.m. Webb arrived at the tow yard and attempted to remove the driver’s door panel to recover the heroin. Police moved in and arrested him.

A female passenger in Webb’s vehicle – Brittany D. Russell, of Trotwood, Ohio – was also arrested after police found her in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Gaines, 21, is charged with Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (over 3 grams), Conspiracy to Deal in a Narcotic Drug (over 3 grams), both Class A Felonies; and Possession of Marijuana (less than 30 grams), a Class A Misdemeanor.

Webb, 30, is accused of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (over 3 grams) and Conspiracy to Deal in Narcotic Drug (over 3 grams), both Class A Felonies.

Russell, 24, faces charges of Possession of Marijuana (less than 3 grams), a Class A Misdemeanor.

All three were arrested and held at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.